Protective cover for base-ball-playing fields and the like.



R. L. HEDGES & A. M. BRANCH.

PROTEGTIVB COVER FOR BASE BALL PLAYING FIELDS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION IILED MAR. 21, 1912.

1,063,198, Patented June 3, 1913.

4 SHEETB-SHEET 1.

R. L. HEDGBS & A. M. BRANCH.

PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BASE BALL PLAYING FIELDS AND THE LIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 21, 1912.

1,063, 1 98. Patented June 3, 1913.

4 SHEETSSHEI1}2.

COLUMBIA PLANUGRAPH co., WASHIN ooooooo c.

R. L. HEDGES & A. M. BRANCH.

PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BASE BALL PLAYING FIELDS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1912.

1,063,198, Patented June 3, 1913.

4 sums-5111:111 a r I w 6,

F &\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cc .WASHINOTON. a. c.

R. L. HEDGES & A. M. BRANCH. PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BASE BALL PLAYINGFIELDS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1912.

1,063,198. Patented June 3, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT L. HEDGES AND ARTHUR M. BRANCH, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BASE-BALL-PLAYING FIELDS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed March 21, 1912.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, ROBERT L. Honors and An'rn'on M. Bnaxon, citizensof the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State ofMissouri, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvements inProtective Covers for Base-Ball-Playing Fields and the Like, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inprotective covers for base-ball playing fields and the like.

As is well known, base-ball fields, and especially the diamond portionthereof, be come, after a more or less heavy rain, so soft and wet thatit is practically impossible to play hall thereon; consequently,ballgames have heretofore been frequently postponed on account of wetgrounds, resulting in considerable financial loss to the owners orproprietors of such fields. An easily operable and handled protectivecover for such fields a cover which may be quickly and readily placedwhen required in operative protecting position over the field andafterward easily removed from such position for the playing of agame-has hence been greatly wanted and desired.

The object of our invention is, therefore, broadly to provide asubstantially waterproof cover in the form preferably of a large canvasor tarpaulin and supporting and operating means therefor adapted to beread ily and easily manipulated when required to operatively support thecover over, and preferably in an inclined position above and away fromthe surface of, the baseball diamond and portions of the playingfieldadj acent the bases and baselines, and to afterward remove the coverfrom such operative position over the field to permit the playing of agame thereupon, the cover when in op erative position protecting thecovered area from the elements and shedding rain therefrom, therebymaintaining such a r a or playing field in playing condition and thusobviating the necessity of postponing baseball games on account of wetgrounds.

With this object in view, our invention resides in the provision of aseries or plurality of cover-supporting members, preferably in the formof flexible cables, operatively ar ranged above the surface of theplaying field and adapted to be extended and secured when Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented June 3,1913.

Serial No. 685,304.

required in a preferably downwardly oblique direction over and acrossthe area or playing field to be protected and a cover of flexiblematerial, such as canvas, arranged for movement upon saidsi1pportingmembers and adapted to be operatively supported thereby whenrequired in open extended position over, and preferably obliquely above,the surface of the area of the playing field to be protected; in theprovision on the cover of side and end flaps adapted, when the cover isin open extended or operative position over the area to be protected, tooperatively hang down or depend therefrom and thereby prevent at thesides of the cover the entrance of rain onto said area; in the provisionof means for folding up or rais ing such side and end flaps into closedinoperative position; in the provision of cover supporting or raisingmeans, preferably in the form of a series or plurality of cables andwinding drums therefor, adapted to quickly raise or remove the coverwith its side and end fiaps from open extended or operative positionover the playing field into folded closed or inoperative position awayfrom or to one side of the playing field; in the provision of simplemeans for maintaining the supporting'cables in proper operative orextended position for supporting the cover in open extended or operativeposition over the playing field to be protected; in the provision ofmeans, preferably in the form of winding drums, for readily windin upand removing the supportingcables rom the playing field when the sameare not in ctivcr-supporting position; in the provision of means adaptedto maintain the supportingcables taut when extended across the playingfield in cover-supporting position; and in the novel construction of theseveral parts of our new cover and its operating and supporting-meansand in the novel arrangement and combination of the same, all as willhereinafter be described and afterward pointed out in the claims.

The flexible cover-supporting-members or cables are shown in theaccompanying drawinggs and will be herein described as extending from agrand-stand across the diamond in lines parallel with the base-linesbetween home-plate and first-base and between second-base andthird-base, but it will be readily understood that said cover-supportingcables may extend in an opposite direction, if desired, or where foundconvenient; it

will also be understood that, while we have herein shown and willdescribe our new cover and its supporting and operating means or cablesin connection with a grandstand, upon which grand-stand the wind ingdrums for the cover-supporting and operating members or cables areoperatively mounted and arranged, our new cover and its supporting andoperating-means or members may equally well be operatively mounted orarranged on or in connection with any other suitable fixed support orstandards. It might also be stated that, while our new protective coveris especially adapted and designed by us for use in connection withbaseball playing fields, and is herein shown and will be described inthat connection, yet it is to be further understood that our newprotective cover may be equally well used in connection with otherathletic fields and the like.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevational viewshowing our improved cover in open extended or operative position over aportion of a base-ball playing field and also showing the supporting andoperating-means therefor; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cover and itssupporting means in open extended or operative position; Fig. 3 is anenlarged detail sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3. Fig.2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately on the linet t, Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately on theline 5 5, Fig. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of asupport (in the present instance. a grandstand) and showing mountedthereon the winding drums for the cover-supporting and raising cables;Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line. 7 7, Fig. 6;Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of one of the supporting-cableanchoring-blocks and the covering-means therefor; Fig. 9 is anelevational view of one of the hangers which are operatively arrangedupon and supported by the cover-supporting-cables and to which the lowerends of the cover-raisingcables are fixedly attached and which areadapted to traverse the cover-supporting-cables on the movement of thecover to open extended or operative position and to closed folded orinoperative position; Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view on the line10 1(. Fin. 9; Fig. 11 is an elevational view of one of thecover-supporting hangers which are also operatively arranged upon andsupported by the coversupportingcables and which are adapted to likewisetraverse the cover-supporting-cables on the movement of the cover toopen extended or operative po sition and to closed folded or inoperativeposition; Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view on the line 1212, Fig.11; Fig. 13 is an elevational view of one of the hangers to which thecover guy-wires or cables are attached which are likewise operativelyarranged upon and supported by the cover-supporting-cables and alsoadapted to traverse the cover-sitpporting cables on the movement of thecover to open extended or operative position and to closed folded orinoperative position: Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view on the line 1ll, Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is an elevational view of one of the hangerssimilar to the hanger shown in Fig. 13, but provided with aroller-support and lock for the c wer-end-fla elevating ropes; Fig. 16is a vertical sectional view on the line 16-16. 15; Fig. 17 anelevational view of one of the hangers for the cover-side-flap elevatingropes; and Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view on the line 18-1S. Fig.17.

In the drawings. 1 designates the grandstand. and arranged and suitablymounted in the upper portion or on the upper deck thereot and located atsuitable distances apart. is a series or plurality of windingdrums 2.the shafts of which are each provided with a suitable crank-handle 3 anda ratchct-wheel 4 having a pawl 5 engaging and cooperating therewith.There is preferably one such drum for each one of the cablesupportingmembers hereinafter described.

Formed in the ground of the playing field somewhat in the rear of theline between first and second-base (or at any other suitable placcthereon depending upon the area to be covered and protected). is a rowof holes 6 corresponding in number and in alineinent with drunlsEmbedded in the ground at the bottom of each of said holes 6 is a block7 of concrete, metal, or other suit able material, and mounted thereinor connected thereto in any suitable manner is a short section of chainor cable 8 carrying at its outer end a n-eierably swiveled ring 9. henthe swiveled rings 9 and their chains are not in use and engaged by thelower ends of the cover-supporting-men'ibers or cables hereinafterdescribed. they occupy positions within the upper portions of said holesi, the said holes being then plugged or covered. as shown particularlyin Fig. 8, with removable blocks 10 of rubber or other suitable oranalogous material. for obvious purposes.

11 indicates the cover-supporting members. which are preferably. asshown, flexible cables. These cables are fixedly attached at their upperends to said drums 2one cable to each drum. The other ends of cables 11are provided with hooks 12 adapted to engage, when said cables areextended, with said swiveled rings 9, cables 11 being thus when extendedoperatively held obliquely down 'ardly across the playing area to beprotected. 'hen so in use or extended, cables 11 can be readily drawntaut by the manipulation ot the drums and after such manipulation, suchdrums can be locked by the engagement of pawls 5 with ratchetwheels 1,as will be well understood.

Rotatably mounted in suitable bearings preferably below the drums 2, isa shaft 13, and fixed thereon at suitable distances apart and preferablyparallel and in alinement with said drums 2, is a series of drums 14-one for each cable 11. Cables 11, when not in use, are adapted to bewound up upon the drums 1 1 the outer ends of said cables being firstdisengaged from rings 9 and then brought around to and engaged withsuitable rope-ends 16 fastened to said drums l t and provided at theirfree ends with rings 16 for receiving said hooks- 12. Also rotatablymounted in suitable bearings, preferably arranged above and slightly tothe rear of the row of drums 2, is a shaft 17, and fixed thereon in.operative position relatively to the drums 2, is a series of drums 18one for each of the cover-operating or raising members 19. These members19 are also preferably, as shown, flexible cables. Cables 19 are fixedlyattached at their upper ends to said drums 18 and at their opposite endsare provided with and fixedly attached to suitable hangers 20, shownparticularly in Figs. 9 and 10, provided with rollers 21 arranged andadapted to ride upon or traverse the corresponding siipporting-cable 11.Both shafts 13 and 17 are driven in any suitable manner preferably bymeans of an electric motor M, as shown. Vhen the cover 22 hereinafterdescribed is to be raised or drawn from open extended operative orfieldprotecting position to closed inoperative position, shaft 17 isrotated in the proper direction, whereupon cables 19 will raise or drawsaid cover, as hereinafter more fully appearing, to one side of thefield into closed inoperative position and be wound upon their drums 18.

The cover :22 is preferably of any suitable flexible material or fabric,such canvas, preferably water-prcofed in any suitable manner, and is ofsuch size to cover or overlie the entire diamond and a considerable areaof the playing field immediately adjacent to and outside the Variousbase-lines. As is well known, on practically all base-ball fields, thepaths between the bases and such portions of the ground as are usuallyoccupied by the infielders during play are skinned or devoid of grass,and it is our intention and purpose to have the cover 2 of such size asto overlie and protect the diamond and this i skinned portion of thefield. i

Suitably mounted upon and secured to cover 22 is a plurality of parallelrows of suitable hangers 23, shown particularly in Figs. 11 and 12,movably arranged upon, and adapted to support cover from, said 1 cables11.

As will be understood. there is l one row of such hangers 23 for eachcable 11, and mounted in and carried by the upper portion of each hanger23 is a roller "24 arranged and adapted to ride directly upon thecorresponding cable 11. And formed through the lower portion of eachhanger 23 is an aperture through which the correspondingcover-raising-cable 19 is adapted to freely pass.

Attached to the side edges of the cover 22 are flaps or side-walls 26 ofcanvas or other suitable preferably flexible material or fabric. hencover 22 is in open extended position ever the playing area to beprotected, these side-flap; 26 are adapted to depend therefrom withtheir lower edges preferably in contact with or closely adjacent thesurface of the ground, as shown particularly in Fig. 5. lVhen the cover2 is to be raised or drawn from operative position over the field, theseside flaps 26 are adapted to be swung inwardly and iuinvardly againstthe under side of cover 2:2 into the position shown by dotted lines inFig. 5, by means of cords or ropes 27 passing over rollers 28 carried bysuitable hangers 25 shown particularly in Figs. 17 and 18, secured inproper operative position to and on the under side of cover adjacent itsside edges. Each of these rollers 28 preferably gradually increases indiameter toward its ends, as shown particularly in Fig. 17; by suchconstruction the cords or rollers 27, after being pulled bver saidrollers to elevate said side-flaps, may be shifted laterally in eitherdirection and thereby wedged or locked between the end portions of therollers 28 and the body of hangers 29 and thus hold said side-flaps 2Gin raised inoperative position. hen it is desired to again lower thesidefiaps '26, said ropes or cords 27 may be easily shifted by apositive pull out of such wedged or locked position, so that they mayeasily ride on said rollers 28.

Attached at their outer ends to the rear edge of cover 22 is a pluralityof guy-lines or ropes 30 corresponding preferably in number to thenumber of cables 11 and being also preferably arranged respectively inalinement therewith. These guy-lines or ropes 30 have their opposite orupper ends fixedly attached adjacent drums Q to the grand-stand or otherfixed standard and are adapted, when the cover 22 is allowed to run outon cables 11 into open extended or operative position, to determine thedistance which the cover 22 is to run out. thereupon and to afterwardhold or maintain the cover in such position on said cables il ever thearea to be protected. These guy-lines or ropes 30 are preferablysupported in operative relation to and from cables 11 by means ofsuitable hangers 31, shown par ticularly in Figs. 1?) and 14. Each ofthese hangers 31 is provided in its lower portion with a suitableclamping device 32 adapted to receive and impingingly engage with aguy-rope or line 30. as shown particularly in Fig. 13. Each of thesehangers 31 is also provided in its upper portion with a roller 33arranged and adapted to roll upon a cable 11 and thereby maintain saidguyropes 30 in proper operative relation thereto. Through the center ormiddle portion of each hanger 31 is formed a suitable aperture for thefree passage therethrough of a cover-raising or operating cable 19.

Attached to the rear edge of cover i an end lap 35 preferably of similarfabric or material. \Vhen cover 22 is in open tended position over theplaying area to be protected, this end flap i?) is also adapted dependtherefrom with its lower edge in contact with or closely adjacent to thesurface of the ground. as shown particularly in Fig. 4. hen cover is tobe raised or drawn fro n o 'icrative position over the field, this endllap adapted to be swung or raised upwardly and outwardly against saidguy-ropes 31. as shown by dotted lines in Fig. t. by means of elevatingropes or cords iltl attachcd thereto and passing over and aroundsuitable rollers 37 journaled in depending portions ll." 't'ornied onthe lower pair of each row, or every other row. as may be desired. ofhangers ill. Such hangers are shown particularly in Figs. 15 and lb andare nun'ibered 31. The rollers 37 are substai'itially similar to rollers28, and said endtlap ele 'ating cords or ropes :16 may larlv. after theend flap 35 l!:l:- been raised. be shifted laterally in either directionand thereby wedged or locked between the end portion of rollers 37 a dthe bodv of hunger portions &8. and tlap 37 thus held in raisedposition. When it: is desned to again lower such end flap, ropes orcords 3t may be easily shifted by a positive pull out of such wedged orlocked position into a posit ion to easily ride in said l'Olltls 37.

As shown particularly in l ig. 52. our new cover 2'3. when in operative1" field-protecting position. is adapted to cover. and be supported bycables 11 obliquely above and over and away from the surface of. thediamond and porticns of the playing tield beyond the base-lines. thelower edge of cover E32 being preferably some considerable distance tothe rear of the line between tirst and second base. Thus all ruinfalling on to ccver 22 will naturally drain or run oil in one gel eraldirection and will discharge upon a portion of the iield which isusually covered with grass. seldom traversed by the infielders. andwholly beyond the paths traversed by the base-runners. l he side and endtiaps 2 and 35 prevent the entrance upon the covered area of rain andwind frun the sit'les of the cover. foyer with its said sides and endflaps, when in such operative position.

hnipresenting an appearance somewhat like that of a. large tent. To makethe said side and end flaps wholly effective for the purpose stated,their lower edges may, if desired, be pinned or anchored to the groundin any suitable manner.

\Vhen it is desired to remove or raise cover 22 with its said side andend flaps from protecting position over the field, the said side and endflaps are first swung or raised by means of their elevating cords 27 and36 into inoperative position as before described. Motor M is nowoperated to properly rotate shaft 17 carrying the drums 18, whereuponcables 19 will be simultaneously wound upon said drums. As vsaid cables19 are so Wound up. the hangers 20 at the lower ends thereof will bedrawn upwardly along the cables 11 and engage or contact with thelowermost set of hangers 23. Such set of hangers 23 will in turn be nowdrawn upwardly along ables 11 with hangers 20 and in turn engage orcontact with the next adjacent set of hangers 23. Such latter set ofhangers 23 will likewise now be drawn upwardly along cables 11 withhangers 20 and lowermost set of hangers 23, and so on as thecover-raising operation continues each set of hangers 23 being similarlyengaged and drawn upwardly with hangers 20 along cables 11, and duringthis operation the cover and its side flaps 26 will be auto maticallyfolded up into a series of half loops depending from the hangers 23.After the entire cover 22 and said side flaps have thus been folded up,the sets of hangers 31 w i ll be engaged and likewise moved upwardlyalong the cables 11 and similarly fold up the said end wall or flap 35,and as the wind ing up or cover raising operation is continued, theentire cover with its side and end flaps, and the guy-lines or cables 30will be drawn upwardly and deposited onto a platform portion of thegrand-stand or other suitable support P provided therefor imme diatelyin front of the drums 2 and 1S. 'hen this has been accomplished, thedrums *2 are now rotated slightly to slacken the cables 11. after whichthe hooks 12 at the lower ends thereof may be detached from said rings9, said cables 11 now carried across the lield, hooks 12 then attachedto the rings 16 on drums 14, and the motor M operated to rotate theshaft 13 and thereby wind the supporting cables 11 upon said d ms Theshort sections of chains or cables 8 and their swiveled rings 9 are nowplaced in the holes 6, after which the blocks 10 are positioned thereinand the playing field is now ready for use. It will be readilyunderstood that, owing to the fact that the cables 11, when positionedfor use, extend obliquely over and across the field, it will 5 be acomparatively easy matter to position l the cover over the playing fieldor diamond Iltl whenever required, for after the cover 22 is shiftedfrom its position on the grand-stand or other place of support P andshaft 17 with its drums l8 rotated to permit the unwinding from saiddrums 18 of said raisingcables 19, cover will, by reason of its ownweight and gravity, move freely into open operative position, duringsuch movement the rollers of the various hangers riding smoothly andeasily upon the cables 11 and performing in this respect the function ofantifriction rollers and the guy-ropes or lines 30 determining theextent of downward travel of cover 22 on its said supportingcables 11.It will, of course, be understood that, when it is desired to place thecover 22 in operative or protecting position over the field, thesupporting cables ll are first unwound from their drums 14, their books12 c-peratively attached to said swiveled hooks t), and said cables thendrawn taut by said drums 2.

As it may at times be desirable, particularly in extremely roughweather, to anchor the lower edge of cover 22, hangers 20 are preferablyprovided with depending eyes 20 to which eyes and to said rings 9 anysuitable block-and-tackle 39 may be attached when cover :22 is in openoperative position.

3y such means, any slack in cover 22 when (pen may be taken care of andcover 22 firmly anchored in operative position.

It will be seen that, while our new cover with its supporting andraising means coinprises a number of parts, it is comparatively simple,may be easily and quickly lowered into operative position over the fieldor raised or moved into inoperative position at the side of the field,and when in operative position over the field, freely and tlmroughlyprotects the same from rain or the elements and without injury to thegrass-covered poi tion of the infield.

We do not desire to be limited to the exact details of constructionherein shown and described, as we are aware and it is apparent that manychanges in size, form, and cdnstruction of the various parts of ourimproved cover and its supporting and operating means may be made andsubstituted for those herein shown and described without departing fromthe nature and spirit of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with a plurality of independent flexiblecover-supportlug-members adapted to be extended obliquely over andsecured across a base-ball field or the like, of a field-cover offlexible material arranged for movement on and relatively to saidsupporting-members and adapted to be obliquely supported thereby inoperative position over the surface of the field, and

means adapted to move said cover upwardly along said supporting-meansinto inoperative position; substantially as described.

2. The combination with a plurality of independent flexiblecover-supporting-members adapted to be extended obliquely over andsecured across a base-ball field or the like, of a field-cover offlexible material arranged for movement on and relatively to saidsupporting-members and adapted to be obliquely supported thereby inoperative position over the surface of the field, said cover beingmovable by gravity on said supporting-members into operative position,and means adapted to raise said cover upwardly along said supportingmembers into inopera tive pcsition; substantially as described.

3. The combination with a plurality of independent flexiblecover-supporting-mem bers adapted to be extended obliquely over andsecured across a base-ball field or the like, of a field-cover offlexible material arranged for movement on said supporting members andadapted to be obliquely supported thereby in operative position over thesurface of the field, said cover being movable by gravity on saidsupportingmeans into operative position, and means adapted to limit thegravity movement of said cover on said supporting-members into operativeposition; substantially as described.

ll. The combination With a plurality of independent flexiblecover-supporting-members adapted to be extended obliquely over andsecured across a base-ball field or the like. of a field-cover offlexible material arranged for movement on said supportingmembers andadapted to be obliquely supported thereby in operative position over thesurface of the field, said cover being movable by gravity on saidsupporting-members into operative position, means comprising a pluralityof independent flexible members adapted to limit the gravity movement ofsaid cover on said supporting-members into operative position, and meansincluding a plurality of flexible members adapted to draw said coverupwardly along said supporting-members into inoperative position;substantially as described.

5. The combination with a support fixedly arranged at the side of abase-ball field or the like, of a plurality of independent flexiblecov*er-supporting-cables engaging at one end with said support andadapted to be extended therefrom over and removably secured across saidfield, and a field-cover of flexible material arranged for movement onsaid cables and adapted to be supported thereby in operative positionover and away from the surface of the field; substantially as described.

6. The combination With a support fixedly arranged at the side of abase-ball field or the like, of a plurality of independent flexiblecover-supporting-cables engaging at one end with said support andadapted to be extended therefrom obliquely over and removably securedacross said field, a field-cover of flexible material arranged formovement on said cables and adapted to be obliquely supported thereby inoperative position over the surface of the field, and means adapted toreleasably anchor said cables at their free ends; substantially asdescribed.

7. The combination with a support fixedly arranged at the side of abase-ball field or the like, of a plurality of independent flexiblecover-supporting-cables engaging at one end With said support andadapted to be extended therefrom obliquely over and removably securedacross said field, a field cover of flexible material arranged formovement on said supportingcables and adapted to be obliquely supportedthereby in operative position over the surface of the field, meanscomprising a plurality of cables adapted to move said cover upwardlyalong said supporting-cables into inoperative position, and meansadapted to releasably anchor said cover-supporting-cab]es at their freeends; substantially as described.

8. The combination with a support fixedly arranged at the side of abase-ball field or the like, of a plurality of independent flexiblecover-supporting-cables engaging at one end. with said support andadapted to be extended therefrom obliquely over and removably securedacross said field, a field-cover of flexible material arranged formovement on said supporting-cables and adapted to be obliquely supportedthereby in operative position over the surface of the field, said coverbeing movable by gravity on said supporting-cables into operativeposition, a plurality of guy-ropes attached to said cover and to saidsupport and adapted tolimit the gravity movement of said cover on saidsupportingcables into operative position, and means adapted toreleasably anchor said cover-sup porting-cables at their free ends;substantially as described.

9. The combination with a support fixedly arranged at the side of abase-ball field or the like, of a plurality of independent flexiblecover-supporting-cables engag ing at one end with said support andadapted to be extended obliquely therefrom over and removably securedacross said field, a field-cover of flexible material arranged formovement on said supportingcables and adapted to be obliquely supportedthereby in operative position over the surface of the field, said coverbeing movable by gravity on said supporting-cables into operativeposition, a plurality of guy-ropes attached to said support and to saidcover adapted to limit the movement of said cover on saidsupportingcables into operative position,

means comprising a plurality of flexible cables adapted to raise saidcover upwardly along said supporting-cables into inoperative position,and means adapted to releasably anchor said cover-supporting-cables attheir free ends; sulistantially as described 10. The combination with asupport fixedly arranged at the side of a base-ball field or the like,of a plurality of independent flexible cover-s1ipporting-taiblesengaging at one end with said support and adapted to be extendedobliquely therefrom over and removably secured across said field, afieldcover of flexible material arranged for movement on saidsupporting-cables and adapted to be obliquely supported thereby inoperative position over the surface of the field, said cover beingmovable by gravity on said supporting-cables into operative position, aplurality of guy-ropes attached to said support and to said coveradapted to limit the movement of said cover on said supporting-cablesinto operative position, means comprising a plurality of. flexiblecables and winding drums adapted to raise said cover upwardly along saidsupportingcables into inoperative position, and means adapted toreleasably engage with and anchor said cover-supporting-cables at theirfree ends; substantially as described.

11. The combination with a support fixedly arranged at the side of abase-ball field or the like, of a plurality of independent flexiblecover-supporting cables engaging at one end with said support andadapted to be extended obliquely over and releasably secured across saidfield, a plurality of coverhangers arranged for rolling movement on eachof said cables, a field-cover of flexible material secured to saidhangers and movable therewith on said supporting-cables and adapted tobe obliquely supported by said supporting-cables in operative positionover the surface of the field, said cover with its said hangers beingmovable by gravity on said. supporting-cables into operative position, aplurality of guy-ropes attached to said support and to said coveradapted to limit the movement of said cover on said sup eiorting-cablesinto operative position, means comprising a plurality of flexible cablesand winding drums therefor adapted to cooperatively engage with saidhangers to raise said cover upwardly along said supporting-cables intoinoperative position, and means adapted to releasably engage with andanchor said cover-supporting-cables at their free ends; substantially asdescribed.

12. The combination with a support fixedly arranged at the side of abase-ball field or the like, of a plurality of independent winding drumsmounted thereon, a plurality of independent flexible cover-supportingcables attached to said drums and adapted to be extended obliquelytherefrom over and releasably secured across said field, a plurality ofcover-hangers arranged for rolling movement on each of said cables, afield cover of flexible material secured to said hangers and movabletherewith on said supporting cables and adapted to be obliquelysupported by said stmporting-cables in operative position over thesurface of the field, said cover with its hangers being movable bygravity on said supporting-cables into operative position, a pluralityof guy-ropes attached to said support and to said cover adapted to limitthe movement of said cover on said supporting-cables into operativeposition, means comprising a plurality of flexible cables and windingdrums therefor adapted to cooperatively engage with said hangers toraise said cover upwardly along said supporting cables into inoperativeposition, and means adapted to releasably engage with and anchor saidcover-supportingcables at their free ends; substantially as de scribed.

13. The combination with a support fixedly arranged at the side of abase-hall field or the like, of a plurality of winding drums mountedthereon, a plurality of cover-supporting cables attached at one end tosaid drums and adapted to be extended obliquely therefrom over andacross said field. means on the field for engaging with and anchoringsaid cables at their lower ends, a plurality of cover-hangers ar 'angedfor movement on each of. said cables, a fieldcover of flexible materialsecured to said hangers and movable therewith on said supporting cablesand adapted to be obliquely supported by said supporting-cables inoperative position over the surface of the field, said cover with itssaid hangers being movable by gravity on said supporting cables intooperative position, a plurality of guyropes attached to said support andto said cover adapted to limit the movement of said cover on saidsupportingcables into operative position. and means con'iprisingg aplurality of cables and winding: drums therefor adapted to cooperativelyengage with said hangers to raise said cover upwardly along saidsupportinp -cables into inoperative position; substantially asdescribed.

14. The combination with a support fixedly arranged at the side of abase-l'mll field or the like. of a plurality of winding drums mountedthereon, plurality of cover-supporting cables attached at one end tosaid drums and adapted to be extended obliquely therefrom over andacross said field, means on the field for detachably en gaging: with andanchoring said cables at their lower ends. a plurality of cover-hangersarranged for movement on each of said cables, a field-cover of flexiblematerial secured to said hangers and movable therewith on saidsupporting-cables and adapted to he obliquely supported by said supportinn-cables in operative position over tli, surface of the field, saidcover with its said hangers being" movable by gravity on said supportina-cables into operative position, a plurality of guy-ropes attached tosaid support and to said cover adapted to limit the movement of saidcover on said supporting cables into operative position. meanscomprising a plurality of cables and wind-- ins; drum therefor adaptedto co iperatively engage with said hangers to raise said cover upwardlyalong; said supporting cables into int'meratire position, and meanscomprising a plurality of winding drums adapted to wind up saidsupportin -cables when they are detached from said anchoring means;substantially as described.

if). The coml ination with a support fixedly arranged adjacent abase-ball field or the like, of a plurality of field-coversupporting-cables engaging at one end with said support and adapted toextend therefrom in an obliquely down ard direction across the field.means on the field adapted to engage with said cables at their other endand releasably anchor the same in fixed position across the field. and afield cover supported bv. and movable on and relatively to. said cables:substantially as described.

ltt. The combination with a support l y arranged adjacent a baseballfield or the like. of a plurality of field-cover sin portingz-cablesengaging at one end with support and adapted to extend theretroin in anobliquely downward direction across the field. means on the fieldadapted to engage with said cables at their other end and rrleasablvanchor the same in fixed position acro s the tield. means adapted todraw said cables taut. and a f eld over sup ported by. and movable onand rclatirely to. said cables: substantially as described.

17. The combination with a ipport tixedly arrane'cd adiacen; a base-balfield or the like. of :1 pl-: ality or winding drums arranged on said sui port, a plurality ot field-cover su 'u'iortinn' cables havingengagement at one end with said drums and adapted to be extendedtherefrom in an obliquely downward direction across the field. afieldcover arranged u on said ables and adapted to be one *atirel vsupported thereby. and mean on the field adapted to en c with and anchorsaid cables at their lower ends; sul'istantially as described.

18. The combination with a support fixedly arranged adjacent a lasednill field or the like. of a plurality of field coversupporting-cables tuieratirely mo nted on said su 'iport and adapted tobe extended therefrom in an obliquely downward direction across thefield, a field-cm er arranged upon said cables and adapted to beoperat-ively supported thereby, means on the field adaptcd to detachablyengage with and anchor said cables at their lower ends, and meansadapted to wind up said cables when their lower ends are detached fromsaid anchoring means; substantially as described.

19. The con'ibination with a support fixedly arranged adjacent. abase-ball field or the like, of a plurality of winding drulns arrangedon said support, a plurality of field-eover-supporting-cables havingengagement at one end with said drums and adapted to be extendedtherefrom in an obliquely downward direction across the field, afield-eover arranged upon said cables and adapted to be operativelysupported thereby, means on the field adapted to detachably engage withand anchor said cables at their lower ends, and a plurality of windingdrums adapted to wind up said cables when their lower ends are detachedfrom said anchoring means; substantially as described.

20. The combination with a support fixedly arranged adjacent a base-ballfield or the like, of a series of independent flexible cables havingengagement with said support and extending therefrom over said field, aplurality of hangers arranged for rolling movement on and depending fromsaid cables, and a field-cover of flexible material secured to andcarried by said hangers; substantially as described.

21. The combination with a support fixedly arranged adjacent a base-ballfield or the like, of a series of independent rolling cables havingengagement with said support; and adapted to be extended obliquelytherefrom over and secured across said field, a plurality of hangersarranged for rolling moven'ient on said ?ill)lt"S and adapted to movedownwardly thereupon by gravity, a field-cover of flexible materialsecured to and carried by said hangers, and means adapted to anchor thefree ends of said cables; substantially as described.

The combination with a support fixedly arranged adjacent a base-ballfield or the like. of a series of independent fiexible cables hayingengagement at one end with said support and adapted to be extendedobliquely therefrom over and across said field, means on the fieldadapted to engage with and anchor said cables at their lower ends, aplurality of hangers arranged for rolling movement on said cables andadapted to move downwardly thereupon by gravity, a field-cover offlexible material secured to and carried by said hangers, and means com'n'ising a plurality of cables and winding drums therefor arranged uponsaid support and adapted to coiiperatively engage with said hangers toraise said cover upwardly along said supporting-cables; substantially asdescribed.

28. In a field-cover, the combination with a plurality ofcover-supporting members arranged above and away from the surface of thefield, of a cover arranged upon and adapted to be supported by saidcover-supporting members, a flexible flap attached to said cover andadapted to depend therefrom, and means including a roller on said coverand a cord fixed to said flap and cooperating with said roller adaptedto raise said flap inwardly and upwardly against the under side of saidcover and to releasably lock the same in such position; substantiallydescribed.

24-. In a field-cover, the combination with a plurality of coversupporting members arranged above and away from the surface of thefield, of a cover arranged upon and adapted to be supported by saidcover-supporting members, a flexible flap attached to said cove 1 andadapted to depend therefrom, a plurality of hangers provided withsubstantially double cone-shaped rollers attached to said cover, andcords movable on said rollers and engaging with said flap, said cordsbeing adapted to cooperate with said rollers to raise said fiap inwardlyand upwardly against the under side of said cover and to cooperate withsaid rollers and hangers to releasably lock said flap in such position;substantially as described.

25. in a field-cover, the combination with a plurality ofcover-supporting members arranged above and away from the surface of thefield, of a cover arranged upon and adapted to be supported by saidcover-supporting members, a flexible fiap attached to said cover andadapted to depend therefrom, and means including rollers on saidcover-supporting members and cords fixed to said flap and cooperatingwith said rollers adapted to raise said flap upwardly and outwardly awayfrom said cover and to releasably lock the same in such position;substantially as described.

26. In a field-cover, the combination with a plurality ofcover-supporting members arranged above and away from the surface of thefield, of a cover arranged upon and adapted to be supported by saidcover-sup porting I110H'1lJ1'S a flexible flap attached to said coverand adapted to depend therefrom, a plurality of hangers provided withsubstantially double coneshaped rollers arranged on saidcover-supporting members, and cords movable on said rollers and engaging with said flap, said cords being adapted to cooperate with saidrollers to raise said flap upwardly and outwardly away from said coverand to cooperate with said rollers and hangers to releasably lock saidflap in such position; substantially as described.

:27. The combination with a support fixedly arranged adjacent abase-ball field or the like, of a plurality of supporting members havingengagement at one end with said support and adapted to be extendedtherefrom obliquely over and secured across said field, a field-coverarranged for movement on said supporting-members and adapted to besupported thereby obliquely over the surface of said field, flaps v atthe side and rear edges of said cover adapted to depend therefrom whensaid cover is in operative position, cords attached to said side flapsand movably engaging with said cover adapted to raise said side flapsupwardly and inwardly into, and to releasably lock the same in,inoperative position, cords having engagement with said end flap andmovably engaging with said supporting-members adapted to raise said endflap upwardly and outwardly into, and t0 releasably lock the same in,inoperative position, and means comprising a plurality of cables andwinding drums therefor adapted to raise said cover with its said sideand end flaps upwardly along said supporting-members into inoperativeposition; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT L. HEDGES. ARTHUR M. BRANCH. Witnesses O. H. Bnoons, Jr., F. D.RAYBURN.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner 01. Iatents, Washington, D. G.

